Blog Archives - Page 4 of 6 - Southard Financial

Why Community Banks Want A Reliable Valuation Company

Written by Southard Financial on October 30, 2019. Posted in Blog.

Most people intuitively know what a “community bank” is, even if it can be hard to define one financially. They are typically the smaller banks just down the street—locally owned, locally operated, and locally involved.

Community banks are the financial equivalent of the cozy diner that knows your order as soon as you walk in the door…a place where the teller you’ve known for years will greet you by your first name. Your kids may even play on the same little league team (sponsored by that very bank, of course). They are the bank where business is done based on relationships as much as a rule book.

Be an Estate Tax Hero…So Your Family Keeps More Money

Written by Southard Financial on October 11, 2019. Posted in Blog.

Disclaimer: This article is for general information purposes only. Do not pass away thinking that this is all you need to know regarding gift and estate tax valuation. Contact your CPA or attorney for official advice before then.

Death and taxes are inevitable. They are also inseparable; when the first happens, you can be certain the second isn’t far behind.

When anyone passes away, there are always plenty of financial loose ends to tie up. However, for business owners, it can be absolutely overwhelming. That’s when you definitely want solid professionals on your side. Especially when you consider how much Estate Taxes can significantly affect property that you wish to transfer at your death.

Want To Sell Your Business? Here’s How To Close The Deal

Written by Southard Financial on September 2, 2019. Posted in Blog.

Over the past couple of months, we’ve been taking a deep dive into the process of selling your business, ending with today’s post on how to close the deal. We’re pulling back the curtain on exactly how we at Southard Financial help you find a qualified buyer for the company you’ve built.

Want to Sell Your Business? You Need an Expert Marketer

Written by Southard Financial on August 5, 2019. Posted in Blog.

Note: In case you’re just joining us, this is Part Two of a series on how to sell your business. Before reading this post on marketing your business, take a couple of minutes and read Part One: Getting a Valuation if you missed it.

After securing an accurate valuation, the next step is to begin letting potential buyers know that your business is available. No one can buy your business if they don’t know it is for sale. There are several simple and direct ways to do this:

Want to Sell Your Business? You Need a Solid Valuation.

Written by Southard Financial on July 2, 2019. Posted in Blog.

Welcome to the first post in a 3-part series on How to Sell Your Business.

So, you’ve got a business that you want to sell and you want to get the best possible price for your business. How do you get that price? How do you know what your business is worth? You need a solid valuation!

7 Time Tested Fundamentals of Selling your Business

Written by Southard Financial on May 17, 2019. Posted in Blog.

Would you rather sell your company for 3x or 10x EBITDA?

That’s a big difference, and one worth putting serious thought into.

Let’s say you have 2 companies. Both generate $25 million in revenue and $5 million of profit a year. Company 1 has an owner with complete control of all areas of the business and no management diversification. Company 2 has great management diversification and its largest customer is only 2% of its revenue.

Both companies might sell. But Company 1 will bring in much less than Company 2. Let’s look at some key factors you can take control of now to help you sell like Company 2 later.

Risky Business? 6 Risk Characteristics that Hinder Business Owners from Realizing Value

Written by Southard Financial on April 17, 2019. Posted in Blog.

The market is hot, buyers aren’t skittish, interest rates are low, and your business is really doing well. According to most business appraisal experts, this hypothetical moment would be the perfect time to sell your business.

But not so fast.

There are often overlooked aspects of a business that can significantly lower its value when the time comes to sell. These six risk characteristics can actually hinder your ability to realize the maximum value of your business.

ESOP vs 401(k)—Which is the best retirement plan option for your employees?

Written by Southard Financial on March 20, 2019. Posted in Blog.

When the topic of employer-sponsored retirement plans comes up, our minds immediately think “401(k).” However, as we pointed out in our post, What is an ESOP and Why Should You Care?, a well-managed ESOP could be a valuable option for you and your company—certainly one worth investigating.

Our goal is for you to walk away better informed and confidently prepared to provide a great retirement plan for the people who make your business successful.

What is an ESOP and Why Should You Care?

Written by Southard Financial on February 27, 2019. Posted in Blog.

An employee stock ownership plan (ESOP) could be a great option for your employees and company leadership. An ESOP is a retirement plan that vests your employees in the business and gives them a compelling reason to care about how the company is doing. When the company does well, they do well. For owners wishing to sell their business, it can provide an exit strategy while maintaining continuity within the business.

Is it something you could consider? Keep reading to learn more.

Will Converting to a C Corporation Help You? 5 Things to Consider

Written by Southard Financial on January 25, 2019. Posted in Blog.

Due to the lower corporate tax rates—thanks to new tax laws passed last year—C corporations might be the new popular kid in school. If you own or run an S corporation, it might be worth looking into converting to a C corporation—but make sure to consider all the details.